The 81st Annual Pilgrimage

was focused on Mary,

Model of Consecrated Life.

This theme was selected in

keeping with Pope Francis’

declaration that this year

shall be the “Year of

Consecrated Life” - a

special recognition of all of

the women and men who

have listened to the call of

the Lord, and said “yes” to

serving his Church in this

special way.

In addition to Divine

Liturgy, candlelight

processions, children’s

procession, Parastas and

children and youth

programs, the Pilgrimage

offered a look at the

vocation stories of some

Pilgrims follow Mary, Model of Consecrated Life at 81st Annual Pilgrimage

In Touch

Sisters of St. Basil the Great Fall 2015 Volume 24, Issue 2

Pilgrims follow Mary, Model of Consecrated Life at 81st Annual Pilgrimage

1

A Message from Sister

Ruth Plante, OSBM 2

Basilian Sisters Gather

to Celebrate Jubilees

3

Mount Macrina Manor to hold Live Nativity

5

House of Prayer Program Schedule

5

Photos of the 81st Annual Pilgrimage

6-7

Basilian Sisters Share Vocation Stories at

Pilgrimage

8

61st Annual Dormition Pilgrimage

9

Obituary: Sister Dorothy Louise Balock, OSBM,

10

Visitors to Mount

St. Macrina

10

Inside this issue:

of the Sisters of St. Basil.

Enrichment sessions were

held on both Saturday and

Sunday. Pilgrims heard

stories from Sr. Barbara

Jean Mihalchick Sr. Joanne

Lickvar, Sr. Monica

Husovich, Sr. Regina

Adams, and Sr. Martha

(Continued on page 4)

Sr. Joanne Lickvar (upper

left); Sr. Regina Adams,

(upper center); Sr. Monica

Husovich (upper right); Sr.

Barbara Jean Mihalchick

(lower left) and Sr. Martha

Elizabeth Moyta (lower

right) share their vocation

stories at Pilgrimage.

Autumn 2015

In Touch Volume 24, Issue 2

A Message from Sister Ruth

Page 2

In Touch

A biannual publication of

the Sisters of St. Basil

Editor: Susan McCarthy

Contributors to this issue:

Sr. Margaret Kapusnak, OSBM

Sr. Barbara Jean Mihalchick, OSBM

Fall 2015

Volume 24, No. 2

Sister Ruth Plante, OSBM

Provincial

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear Friends,

It seems that only yesterday we were enjoying the summer warmth, the gift of God’s glorious creation, and the joys and blessings of our Pilgrimage in honor of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Now, we have torn off another calendar page and wait for its days to unfold.

Here on the Mount construction is continuing on the addition and renovations to Mount Macrina Manor. Each week we see progress as the contractors diligently work to bring blueprints to reality. I sincerely admire the expertise of all involved as they discuss every tiny detail from the size of the bolts and fasteners to the intricate layout of wiring and plumbing. How much more takes place behind the scenes than meets the eye!!

Another important season will soon be upon us – that of Philip’s Fast – as we prepare for the beautiful feast of the Nativity of Our Savior. One of the words we most often hear during this time is “busy.” Everyone is so very busy running here and there with so much to do in so little time. So often the reality of the coming of God-with-us be-comes lost in the midst of all the temporalities.

I recently heard a story which I’d like to share with you. It contains a lesson for all of us who must plead guilty to being so busy. On a recent visit to one of their convents in India an American Sister was recounting her busy schedule to her Indian counterparts. The Sisters told her that they never use the word busy because it has an unacceptable acronym –Bound Under Satan’s Yolk. The American Sister then asked what word they do use since certainly they have full schedules. She told her that they say that they are blessed with the fullness of the day… So, you see, we are all blessed with the fullness of our days!!

Be assured that you are always remembered in our prayers. Through the course of our 94 year history, you have always generously and lovingly supported us – and we are truly grateful. Please remember that we are always willingly to pray for your special needs and intentions – just call us or e-mail your requests.

May these seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas be times of special blessings for you.

Sr. Ruth Plante, OSBM

With our love and prayers,

In Touch Volume 24, Issue 2 Page 3

Basilian Sisters Gather to Celebrate Jubilees

In this year, called for by

Pope Francis as the Year of

Consecrated Life, jubilees

are an opportunity for all

the Sisters to thank God

for the gift of their

vocation. After two days of

presentations and

discussion during their

annual Community Days,

the Basilian Sisters paused

to honor three of the

Sisters celebrating

significant years of

religious dedication.

Celebrating their 70th

Anniversary of religious

life were Sister Martha

Elizabeth Moyta and Sister

Leocadia Sevachko;

celebrating her 60th

Anniversary was Sister

Barbara Swindells. The

hallmark of every such

celebration is the Divine

Liturgy of Thanksgiving

offered for the intentions of

the Jubilarians. Joyful voices

were raised in praise and

thanksgiving for the gift of

the fidelity of these three

Sisters. This joy continued

during the festive meal

following, a time which is

always punctuated by a lot

of laughter and reminiscing.

Sister Martha Elizabeth

Moyta entered the Sisters

of St. Basil from Holy Ghost

Parish, North Side

Pittsburgh, Pa. She

received her Bachelor of

Science degree in

Elementary Education from

College Misericordia in

Dallas, Pa. and a Master of

Science degree in Religious

Education from LaSalle

University in Philadelphia,

Pa. Sister Martha Elizabeth

spent almost 25 years in

elementary education

before being assigned to

the Diocesan Religious

Education Office in

Pittsburgh, Pa. During her

years in this ministry, Sister

worked with others on the

Catechetical series where

her expertise was

methodology. Following

her years in religious

education both in the

Pittsburgh Archeparchy

and the Eparchy of Parma,

Sister Martha moved on to

pastoral ministry in St.

Therese parish in St.

Petersburg, Fla. before

retiring to the monastery

at Mount St. Macrina.

Sister Leocadia Sevachko

entered the Sisters of St.

(Continued on page 4)

Sr. Barbara Swindells (left), Sr. Leocadia Sevachko (center), and Sr. Martha Elizabeth Moyta

celebrate their Jubilees.

GOD WITH US

Basilian Sister Jubilarians Celebrate (Continued from page 3)

In Touch Volume 24, Issue 2 Page 4

Basil from St. Nicholas

parish in Youngstown,

Ohio. She received her

Bachelor of Science in

Education degree from

Carlow College (now

Carlow University) in

Pittsburgh, Pa., and her

Master of Science in

Education from LaSalle

University in Philadelphia,

Pa. Sister Leocadia’s

teaching assignments

spanned 57 years in

elementary education.

Her assignments also

included a number of

years when she served as

both teacher and

principal. The first to

enter the community,

Sister Leocadia has the

distinction of being one of

three sisters in

community; Sister

Dorothy, now deceased,

and Sister Bernarda. With

her sister, Sister Bernarda,

Sister Leocadia continues

to serve in catechetical

and parish ministry in the

five parishes in the

Youngstown area.

Sister Barbara Swindells

entered the community

from St. Mary Church in

Chicago, Ill. She earned a

Bachelor of Arts in

Secondary Education in

1968 from Mount Mercy

College in Pittsburgh, Pa.,

and a Master of Arts in

History from John Carroll

University in Cleveland,

Ohio. For 23 years, Sister

Barbara’s energy was

devoted to education

from the elementary level

times serving as principal

or assistant principal.

Following these years,

Sister engaged in ministry

in the Religious Education

Office of the Archeparchy

as well as in the Eparchy

of Van Nuys. She was

elected to the Provincial

Council in 2000 and was

re-elected to a second five-

year term. Presently, Sister

Barbara is the

Administrator of Mount St.

Macrina Cemetery and

Mausoleum, a position she

has held since 2001. For

the combined 200 years of

faithful service, warm

congratulations were

offered to the Jubilarians by

Sister Ruth Plante,

Provincial, and by all the

Sisters. May God grant

them many more spiritually

fruitful, happy and blessed

years!

Pilgrims follow Mary

(Continued from page 1)

Elizabeth Moyta. The

vocation stories that each

of the Sisters told were

very different and came

from different decades.

The common thread that

was woven through the

stories was that each got a

calling and each said “yes”.

Read more about their

stories on page 8. A

pictorial collage of the

Pilgrimage can be found on

pages 6-7.

On behalf of the

Sisters of St. Basil,

we wish you a

blessed Thanksgiving

and joyful

Christmas season!

through high school, at

Please register early to

prevent program cancella-

tion. For additional upcom-

ing programs, please visit

www.sistersofstbasil.org.

The Mount St. Macrina

House of Prayer is located

at 510 W. Main St., Union-

town, PA 15401. Tele-

phone: 724-438-7149.

Individual directed re-

treats, personal retreats,

group retreats and days of

prayer can be scheduled

October - July.

Lenten Day of Prayer

Rev. John Chirovsky

Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016

9:15 am—1:00 pm

Offering: $30, incl. lunch

Registration Due: Feb. 22

Lenten Day of Prayer

Rev. Thomas Dansak

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016

1:15 pm—5:00 pm

Offering: $30, incl. Supper

Registration Due: Feb. 22

Christmas Day of Prayer

Sr. Marian Senish, CDP

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015

9:15 am - 1:00 pm

Offering: $30, incl. lunch

Registration Due: Dec. 7

Christmas Day of Prayer

Msgr. George Appleyard

Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015

1:15 pm - 5:00 pm

Offering: $30, incl. dinner

Registration Due: Dec. 8

House of Prayer Program Schedule

Mount Macrina Manor to hold Live Nativity Sunday, December 13

In Touch Volume 24, Issue 2 Page 5

Mount Macrina Manor’s annual Live Nativity will be held on the grounds of Mount Saint Macrina

in North Union Township on Sunday, December 13, 5-7 p.m. More than 25 people are expected

to portray Mary and Joseph, the shepherds tending to their flock, the Three Kings, the Little

Drummer Boy and angels. The Nativity will be set up along the Friendship Circle, adjacent to the

facility. In addition to the volunteers who are participating, there will also be live animals. Several

groups will sing Christmas carols. The event is free of charge and everyone is welcome

House of Prayer

“We must

always walk

in the

presence of

the Lord,

always try to

live in an

irreprehensible

way”

- Pope Francis

In Touch Volume 24, Issue 2 Page 6

Mary, Model of Consecrated Life

In Touch Volume 24, Issue 2 Page 7

Mary, Model of Consecrated Life

81st Annual

Pilgrimage in

Honor of

Our Lady of

Perpetual Help

Sept. 5 & 6, 2015

Basilian Sisters Share Vocation Stories at Pilgrimage

In keeping with Pope

Francis’ declaration that this

year shall be the “Year of

Consecrated Life”, the

Sisters planned a special

Pilgrimage enrichment

session. The session, which

was held on both Saturday

and Sunday, focused on the

vocation stories of five

Sisters.

When Sr. Regina Adams

was a junior in high school,

she took a test for entrance

into nursing school. When

she went for an interview,

the director asked, “Did

you every think of

becoming a Religious

Sister?” Sister admitted

that she had thought about

it, but had pushed it to the

back of her mind. She told

Sister to talk to someone

about it.

So, she made arrangements

to meet Sr. Frances Novak,

OSBM and visit Mount St.

Macrina. The whole

experience ignited a spark

in her to desire the

Religious Life. She entered a

year later.

During her ministry, she has

been a principal and

teacher. Presently she is in

Pastoral Ministry for five

parishes in northeastern

Pennsylvania, visiting

nursing homes, hospitals,

and the home bound;

leading liturgical singing; and

teaching catechetical classes

on Sunday.

* * *

Sr. Joanne Lickvar also

had an interest in medicine

and worked many

volunteer hours at a local

hospital. While

volunteering, a lady that she

worked with suddenly died.

It was then that she

realized that doctors can

only do so much. Her

thoughts turned to the true

Physician, the healer of

both body and soul.

God’s invitation came, but

she was not sure that she

was open to His call.

Through prayer, she knew

that she had to try religious

life and to see if God was

really calling her. She

contacted the Sisters and

she entered on the Feast of

the Protection of the

Mother of God with no

definite expectations, just

to try it out. Moreover,

49 years later Sr. Joanne is

still trying it and loving it.

* * *

Sr. Martha Elizabeth

Moyta had the desire to

become a Religious from a

very young age. This was

made stronger when she

attended the profession of

Sr. Alexandra at Mount St.

prostrated before the

Eucharist on the holy Altar,

Sister Martha felt a deep

longing to follow in her

footsteps and that urge

never left her.

At age 15 she was ecstatic

when after writing a letter

seeking admission to the

convent, Mother Macrina

responded positively stating

that she could enter in

August of that year.

She ministered in Byzantine

Catholic Parishes from

New Jersey, through

Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana

with a stop in Florida. In

addition to teaching in our

parochial schools, she

worked on the GOD

WITH US Catechetical

series. Presently, she works

part time at the Mount St.

Macrina Religious Gift Shop.

* * *

Sr. Monica Husovich

thought about being a

Sister when she made her

First Holy Communion. Sr.

Lubov was her instructor

and an inspiration.

Several years later, when

she was in 7th grade, she

and her classmates were

asked to write an essay on

their chosen career. She

wrote about being a

teacher. Then, during her

freshman year, she was

praying daily for the grace

to understand what God

wanted her to be. She had

a list of possible

professions that she would

present to the Lord for

consideration and the last

on the list was to be a nun.

By the time that she was a

junior, her list shortened

to asking God for the

grace to be a nun.

She came to Mount St.

Macrina in 1958. After she

made the decision to

enter, she had great peace

of soul, feeling that this is

what God wanted her to

do.

(Continued on page 9)

“Religious life is a different way for the

fulfillment of your own life – a way where

God is the goal, his Word the light, and his

Will is the guide.” - Sr. Joanne Lickwar

“The only thing that really matters in life

is that we do everything with love in our

heart for God and all of his Creation.”

- Sr. Monica Husovich

In Touch Page 8

Volume 24, Issue 2

Macrina. As Sr. Alexandra

After being in the field of

education for 28 years, Sr.

Monica began to work at

Mount Macrina Manor in

the business office doing

fundraising and other tasks.

She became the admissions

coordinator and later

became the coordinator

for all computer usage in

the Manor.

At present Sr. Monica is

stationed in the Monastery

transporting Sisters to

their doctors

appointments.

* * *

In 1963, Sr. Barbara

Jean Milhalchick entered

the Sisters of St. Basil. She

had thought about

religious life when she was

a little girl, but never

thought of it much after

she entered her teens and

dating and dancing every

Saturday night.

At age 16, her homeroom

teacher was pressuring her

and her classmates to

decide about college. Since

Dec. 4 was the Feast Day

of St. Barbara, she believed

that it was best to

contemplate it on that day.

So, during a Latin Mass,

she prayed and the clarity

Basilian Sisters Share Vocation Stories

(Continued from page 8)

In Touch Volume 24, Issue 2 Page 9

“I wish other young women would

experience this very rich life that is

blessed with so many benefits.”

- Sr. Barbara Jean Mihalchick

came to her. She sensed

the call to become a Sister.

Sr. Barbara Jean taught in

schools in Pennsylvania,

Ohio, Connecticut and

Illinois. She was also a

parish minister at St. John

the Baptist Byzantine

Church, Uniontown;

member of the order’s

provincial leadership team;

and a House of Prayer staff

member. From 1989-2001,

she served as assistant

general superior in the

Order’s General

Administration in Rome.

* * *

61st Annual Dormition Pilgrimage

In honor of the Year of Consecrated Life,

Sisters of various Eastern Catholic religious

communities were invited to participate in

the 61st Annual Dormition Pilgrimage at the

headquarters of the Sister Servants of Mary

Immaculate in Sloatsburg, New York. The

Pilgrimage took place August 8-9. The Com-

munities attended were invited to present a

display.

Pictured are Sister Margaret Ann Andrako, Assis-

tant Provincial Superior, Sister Joanne Lickvar,

Provincial Councilor, Sister Barbara Jean Mihal-

chick, Vocation Director, all visiting from Union-

town, with Sister Michele Yakymovitch, SSMI,

Director of St. Joseph’s Home, and Very Rev. Jack

Custer, Rector of St. Michael Cathedral in Passaic,

New Jersey. The group is standing near the Sis-

ters of St. Basil display.

with her patients was so

well-regarded that she was

named as Volunteer of the

Year by Amedisys (Albert

Gallatin Hospice).

Sr. Dorothy Louise was

preceded in death by her

parents, her sisters, Eliza-

beth Somics, Ann Schaefer,

and Catherine Pinksaw;

and her brothers, Michael,

John and George Balock. In

addition to her Sisters in

community, she is survived

by her many devoted niec-

God graciously granted Sr.

Dorothy Louise’s wish to

attend the Pilgrimage one

more time. A few days

after it concluded, Sr. Dor-

othy Louise (former Sr.

Joachim) peacefully fell

asleep in the Lord Jesus at

Mt. Macrina Manor on

Thurs., Sept 10, 2015. The

daughter of the late Mi-

chael and Barbara (Reyta)

Balock, Sr. Dorothy Louise

was born in Patton, Pa. She

entered the Sisters of St.

Basil from SS. Peter and

Paul Byzantine Catholic

Church in Patton, Pa, on

Sept. 15, 1950. She pro-

nounced her First Vows on

Nov. 27, 1952 and made

her Perpetual Profession

on Jan.1, 1956 in the pres-

ence of the late Very Rev.

George Bonchonsky.

Sr. Dorothy Louise spent

the first years of

her 65 years as a

Sister of St. Basil in

the teaching minis-

try. She then

served a term on

the Provincial

Council and Coor-

dinator of the mon-

astery community.

From 1977 until

presently, Sr. Dor-

othy Louise’s minis-

try was in one way

or another in-

volved in health

care. She served as

the Administrator

of Mt. Macrina Manor from

1977 - 1993. For the next

few years, Sister resided at

the monastery tending to

personal health needs.

Probably what became her

best-loved ministry began

in 1997 when she worked

as a Spiritual Counselor

for what was then Albert

Gallatin Hospice. When

declining health required

that she limit her work

hours, she continued to

volunteer her services as-

sisting patients and families

with addressing their spir-

itual needs, especially

those facing the crisis of

terminal illness. As a can-

cer survivor three times,

she was well prepared to

walk these paths with

those who came within the

sphere of her care and

concern. Her empathy

ENTERS INTO NEW LIFE

In Touch Volume 24, Issue 2 Page 10

Visitors to Mount St. Macrina

Last summer, members of the Maronite Servants of Christ

the Light stayed at the Mount overnight on a return visit.

The new religious community serves the Maronite Church

from southeastern Massachusetts. The Sisters and Postu-

lants were on their way from the annual Maronite Church

assembly held this year in Cleveland, to the annual Youth

Retreat being held at St. Vincent’s Archabbey in Latrobe,

Pa.

es and nephews and their

families. The Parastas Ser-

vice was celebrated by the

Very Rev. Robert Pipta. The

Funeral Divine Liturgy was

celebrated by the Very Rev.

Andrew Deskevich; concele-

brants were Rev. Michael

Huszti, Monastery Chaplain;

Rev. Vasyl Symyon, Rev.

Vasyl Banyk and Rev.

Mykhaylo Shkyndya. Inter-

ment followed in the Dor-

mition Section of Mount

Macrina Cemetery.

SISTER DOROTHY LOUISE BALOCK, OSBM

Committed to Loving Care -

Construction Continues at Mount Macrina Manor

In April 2015, the Sisters of St. Basil broke ground for renovations to Mount Macrina Manor. The first phase of the eight phase project is well underway. The entire project is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2017.

The upgrades to the Manor include a new rehabilitation addition, expansion of the Manor chapel, and many other essential improvements, the topmost being the installation of new mechanical systems—heating and air conditioning—to provide a safe, comfortable environment for our cherished residents.

For further information about this project or to donate, call the Sisters directly at 724.438.8644.

In Touch Volume 24, Issue 2 Page 11

In Touch

Sisters of St. Basil the Great

500 West Main Street

P.O. Box 878

Uniontown, PA 15401

(724) 438-8644

www.sistersofstbasil.org

Visit the Religious Gift & Card Shop at

Mount Saint Macrina For Your Holiday Gifts

Wed., Fri., & Sat., 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed Sun., Mon. & Thurs. Additional parking available in the lower lot.

530 W. Main St.

Uniontown, PA 15401

www.sistersofstbasil.org

Religious Gifts, Icons,

Inspirational Christmas Cards

724-439-6180

Open Tues., 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.,